James good



J. GOOD. Grain Barge.

(No Model.)

No. 233,748. Patented oct. 26, lsof 9 www M5@ lLPErERS. PHOTO-TNOGRAPHER. wAsmNGTON, D C.

Il'NlraD Tatras JAMES GOOD, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR TO MISSISSIPPI VALLEY TRANSPORTATION COMPANY.

GRAIN-BARGE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 233,748, dated October 26, 1880. I Application filed July 23, leso. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES Gool), of St. Louis, in the county of St. Louis and State of Missouri, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Graiu-Barges, of which the following is a specification.

My improvement consists ill providillg at each end of the barge two or more trunks, whose lower end connects with the extreme bottom of the jacket of the barge, and is also connected by means of a branch pipe with the bottom of the hold, a valve having a suitable handle being furnished to connect either branch pipe with the lmain trunk.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a part side elevation and part longitudinal section of a barge embodying my inventioll. Fig. 2 is a part top view and part horizontal section below the main deck of a portion of such a barge. Fig. 3 is a transverse section.

A is the shell, hull proper', or outer hull of my grain-barge. Supported within and firmly secured to hull A is my inner hull, B, constituting the vessels hold.

The space, interstice, or jacket C, formed around and beneath the inner hull, B, by the inclosing-shell A, is covered by a deck, D, that projects over the interstice C, so as to form a guard, cl.

Hatchways E in decks D and II permit access to said interstice G for any purpose, and also permit the insertion of siphon or other pumps or ejectors for rapid discharge of any bilge-water. Both hulls' being made as near water-tight as possible and the interstice kept dry by pumping or otherwise, the cargo is effeetually protected against wetting.

Erected upon and firmly framed to the guards d are gallows-frames or stanchions F, which support and securely brace a cargo-box, G, erected upon the main deck D.

It is intended that all the hatchways be provided with tightly-fitting caps I, capable of being securely fastened to prevent the passage of water.

The framelwork of the cargo-box is incased within and without. Its sides are pierced with port-holes J, which are closed within by sliding panels K and on the outside by shutters L.

the extreme bottom of the jacket (l, and is v perforated, as at O. The trunk R is surinounted with a bell-lnouthed muzzle, S, secured by a screw-threaded collar, s.

A valve-guarded branch pipe, T, conducts from trunk R to bottom of hold B. The valve t of this branch pipe is operated by a suitable handle, t. By operation of this handle the valve may either be placed in the position represented, so as to close the branch pipe, or it may be placed in position indicated by dotted lines, so as to open said branch pipe, and at the same instant to close the lower portion of the trunk alld shut oli' colnmunication with the jacket. In the condition of the parts here shown air is collected by that bell-mouth which is for the time being opposed to the wind, and is driven through the jacket and escapes by the trunk at the other end. By shifting the valve t al portion or all of the atmospheric contents of the trunk may in like manner be driven through the hold; or either trunk be ing connected with a blower, air may be artificially forced through either jacket or hold, or both.

After removal of the bell-mouth the suction of a steam or other exhaust pump may be either screwed to the top of the trunk orinserted within it, and made available to draw out any water that lnay have found its way into the jacket; or, by placing valve t in position shown by dotted lines, the same pump may be used to rid the hold of water.

.95 This device proves to be especiallyadapted for the expeditious raising of stranded and partly sunken vessels in such shallow and changing channels as constitute theMississippi and its affluents after a long drought. For

example, when one barge of a fleet or tow springs a leak7 effort is generally made to strand her on the nearest sand-bar, and, if practicable, at so shallow a depth as to place her upper deck above water-level. Such operations Will be greatly facilitated by the construction here described, and will liberate the captain to proceed with the balance of' his tow. rlhe abundant circulation of air which this plan secures affords complete ventilation of the grain and conduces to maintain the materials of the barge in sound condition.

I claim as neu7 and of my invention- The trunk R, communicating` With the eX- treme bottom of jacket O by branch pipe O, and provided with a branch pipe7 T, communcating With the bottom ofthe hold, and the valve t, operated by a handle, t, as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony of which invention I hereunto zo set my hand.

JAS. GOOD.

Attest:

GEO. H. KNIGHT, J. L. LOGAN. 

